Ep 21. Hopeless

In season 6, episode 21 of How I Met Your Mother, titled "Hopeless," the gang finds themselves in various hopeless situations as they try to come up with a plan to attend a stylish and exclusive party at an art gallery.

The episode opens with Marshall (Jason Segel) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan) trying to soothe Marvin, their crying baby, while Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) tries to convince Ted (Josh Radnor) to go to the art gallery party with him. Robin (Cobie Smulders), however, is frustrated that her boyfriend, Nick, is always canceling plans and decides to take up Barney's invite instead.

With Ted still hesitant to go, Barney reveals his secret strategy to get past the guest list and other obstacles- posing as an eccentric Austrian aristocrat named Barnabus Stinson. Ted eventually agrees to the plan, and the group sets out to the party, donning their best clothes and behaving in their most outlandish personas.

As the group makes their way through the various rooms of the art gallery, they encounter various hopeless situations. Robin tries to impress Nick by showing off her knowledge of art, only to realize that he has no interest in it. Marshall and Lily find themselves stuck in a room with other exhausted new parents while their baby continues to cry.

Meanwhile, Barney and Ted try to deceive partygoers and art collectors with their outlandish personas, but they soon realize that they may have met their match in an actual Austrian countess, whose sharp mind and keen senses lead her to suspect that Barney's accent is fake.

The episode builds to a climax as the group becomes separated and they struggle to reunite before the party's end. Robin tries to find Nick, who has disappeared, while Barney and Ted face off against the countess in a high-stakes game of "Who is the real Austrian?"

Overall, "Hopeless" is a classic How I Met Your Mother episode that showcases the show's signature blend of humor, heart, and debauchery. As the gang faces various hopeless situations, they also come together to support one another, highlighting the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. The episode's ultimate message is that sometimes it's okay to be hopeless- as long as you have the people you love by your side.